Aida Maria Galapagos Cruise

A warm 16-guest Galapagos yacht for island-led, good-value cruising.

A Galápagos Cruise on board the Aida Maria

33 Reviews

Budget

What we love about the Aida Maria

Great value, well kept: a 16-guest yacht for island-led, rather than ship-first, Galápagos cruising.

Built on Santa Cruz: a traditional, warm wood-finished yacht with genuinely local character.

For curious, active travellers: flexible routes, naturalist insight and time outdoors each day.

+12

Aida Maria is the Galápagos yacht we recommend when the islands—not a glossy floating hotel—should lead the decision. Built on Santa Cruz and warmly traditional in feel, she has the kind of real small-yacht character that is increasingly hard to find: wood-panelled shared spaces, sea air on deck and just 16 guests. We would put her on the shortlist for travellers who want to spend their energy choosing the right islands and returning each evening to a relaxed, sociable base rather than a ship designed to be the attraction itself.

Her eight cabins are honest, compact, fixed-bunk cabins with air conditioning and private bathrooms. The wood finish, made-up beds and small windows or portholes give them warmth; the photographs also make clear that they are for sleeping and recharging, not for spreading out with large luggage. That is a useful distinction, not a hidden compromise. Four cabins are on the lower deck, two on the main deck and two above, so we would always talk through cabin position with you if quiet sleep, less motion or a little more daylight will shape your enjoyment of the trip.

This is where Aida Maria becomes more interesting than her simple exterior suggests. Her current programme reaches from four to 15 days, giving you a meaningful choice of Galápagos experiences: the north and central islands for Genovesa's birdlife, Bartolomé and Sullivan Bay; southern routes for Floreana, Devil's Crown and Española; or a longer westward circuit towards Isabela, Fernandina and Vicente Roca. National Park rules, weather and operations always govern the final routing, but the range makes it possible to choose the kind of archipelago you most want to experience—not simply the next available departure.

On board, the rhythm is pleasantly unforced: a shared long-table dining room, time outdoors between landings and the naturalist's evening context for the day ahead. We see Aida Maria as a particularly good fit for curious, active travellers who value local character, strong route choice and an intimate onboard atmosphere. Choose a newer yacht instead if large contemporary cabins, abundant private space or a reliably quiet night at sea are central to your holiday; choose Aida Maria if the prospect of the right islands outweighs the need for a resort-like ship.

Dates & Prices on board the Aida Maria

When do you want to travel?

Dates

Trip

Info

Status

Price

Could not find your preferred date?

Amenities on board the Aida Maria

Travel for good: Each booking supports Ventura's Conservation Project.

Single travellers can share cabin

Transfers to and from ship

Air conditioning & private bathroom

English guides

All meals

Water, Coffee, Tea & fresh juices

-20% for children ≤ 10

Food & Drinks on board the Aida Maria

Food on Aida Maria fits the spirit of the yacht: simple, generous and sociable rather than polished restaurant theatre. Meals are served around the excursion rhythm, usually with a main protein, rice or salad-style sides, fresh fruit and Ecuadorian comfort touches. Guest feedback often mentions that the food is better than expected for a compact budget yacht, with seafood, vegetables and hearty breakfasts doing exactly what they should after active island days. Tell us dietary needs before travel so we can confirm them with the operator.

Sustainable Tourism

On Aida Maria, responsible cruising is not just a message for shore excursions. The operator's vessel-specific environmental-management dossier documents separate waste collection and transfer ashore, bilge-water separation, sewage-treatment procedures, used-oil handover, fuel-spill drills, fuel and engine records, and tin-free paint controls.

Those practical systems matter in a protected marine environment: they are designed to reduce pollution risks while the ship follows Galápagos National Park-controlled routes and visitor sites. It is a more meaningful standard than a generic eco claim—everyday ship operations, documented for this particular vessel.

Cabins categories on board the Aida Maria

Double Twin

Type:

Twins

Max. occupancy:

More about this cabin

Technical details of Aida Maria

Budget

Type

Small Yacht

Main Engines

2 CAT 125hp each

Beam

24fts / 7m

Length

66fts / 20m

Cruising speed

7 knots

Capacity

16

Reviews of Aida Maria

Monika Josefa D

Aida Maria Galapagos Cruise

Budget

Unforgettable spectacular and familiar experience with Aida Maria

Kevin H

Aida Maria Galapagos Cruise

Budget

Honestly I had some trepidation that I would get bored spending 8 days on a boat but was very pleasantly surprised that the days were filled with adventure and activities that were anything but boring. We saw and interacted with new species every day!! Also, the crew and guide were amazing and I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes nature (flora & fauna), history and science!

Megan S

Aida Maria Galapagos Cruise

Budget

We had a fantastic trip aboard the Aida Maria. Our guide, Xavi was extremely knowledgeable, friendly and did an amazing job. The crew on board were great and very helpful. Food was fantastic, they had a main protein, and a variety of sides at every meal including lots of fruits and veggies. We loved the variety of landscapes and wildlife during this trip. The snorkeling in particular was one of a kind. Most ships go to the same spots but we were almost always the first to arrive in the mornings so we had the place to ourselves. Due to the size of the ship being "smaller" there were a couple times that a few passengers got sea sick so if you're prone to motion sickness, bring some medications with you. Definitely bring a good camera, underwater phone case/go pro, lots of sunscreen, bug spray, hat and enjoy a great time!

Yoeri G

Aida Maria Galapagos Cruise

Budget

Amazing trip! Galapagos is really something else and I loved every bit of it. Itinerary dod not always match our experience and an island was closed due to aviant flue which we were not informed about. Communication on board could also improve sometimes. But overall I would definitely recommend both Galapatours and the Aida Maria boat and their amazing crew.

Brian S

Aida Maria Galapagos Cruise

Budget

Our week on the Aida Maria was fantastic, exceeding expectations. The crew and guide were fantastic, and the meals were really good - again, better than expected. The highlight was, of course, all of the animals we got to see up close and personal, on land and in the water.

Claire Deluney

Aida Maria Galapagos Cruise

Budget

Very beautiful cruise with everything you can wish for Just came back from a fantastic five week trip to South America. We (sister and myself, early 20s) completed a fantastic eight day / seven night cruise of the Galapagos Islands with Aida Maria. When researching our trip to the Galápagos, there were not many recent reviews of boats. Our criteria for the trip was based on dates, cost and itinerary. The Aida Maria met those criteria, so we hoped for the best and booked our 8 day/7 night cruise over Christmas. The boat was well maintained and our cabin was clean, but a little small. There was little room for luggage, so pack lightly! We were fortunate in that we had a main deck room and could open a window. I believe the rooms lower deck were noisier and smelt of fuel due to their location near the engine. We used the common outdoor areas when navigating between islands, but there were also seats indoors to use during free time. Food was plentiful and tasty, though simple. Had seafood at least one meal everyday, with lots of fruit, rice and salads on the side. Breakfast was generally eggs, cereal, toast and fruit. They made a special effort Christmas Eve with a whole Turkey for dinner. Impressive when you saw the size of the kitchen! We covered the northern, central and southern islands of Galápagos in our cruise. We saw lots of birds and most land animals. Snorkelling was a little disappointing due to poor clarity and not a lot of fish, but as Australians we have been fortunate with some excellent snorkelling experiences in the Great Barrier Reef. Most days we did two land based trips and two snorkelling trips. The boat had two pangas so all 16 passengers on board could get to the island in one trip. Land based trips generally didn't consist of long walks, but rather short meanders on the beach, with our guide stopping to tell us about the animals, history, or plants. The boats itineraries were all well organised so landing sights / walks / snorkelling sights were not overrun with tourists. Due to the large distances between islands, we were often navigating at night. The boat was reasonably small and rocked a lot when moving. If you suffer from sea sickness, ensure you pack medication. The crew didn't speak much English, but they were very attentive. Our guide was informative and helpful. Overall we had a fantastic trip. We both felt that 8 days was just the right length - any shorter and you feel as if you have missed seeing lots, but any more than 8 days in a boat would have been a little too long for us! We also both felt that a boat trip was the way to see the Galapagos islands. The distances between islands is large and by cruising, you maximise the time available on islands to see the flora and fauna. Source: goo.gl/yzaW6J

Similar Ships

Budget

Golondrina

Golondrina is one of our more affordable ways to experience the Galápagos—and its relaxed, sociable character is the point. This 16-guest yacht is a particularly good fit for backpackers, younger travellers and anyone who would rather share the trip with an easy-going, younger crew and crowd than pay for polished formality. Life on board is simple and friendly: a wood-panelled lounge and bar, outdoor areas for swapping stories after excursions, and a sun deck for the sea breeze. The eight air-conditioned twin-bunk cabins are straightforward rather than luxurious, each with a private bathroom and hot-water shower. What makes Golondrina especially appealing is the itinerary choice. Depending on the departure, her four-, five- and eight-day routes combine active days of hiking, swimming, snorkelling and panga rides with visitor sites such as Vicente Roca, Fernandina, Tagus Cove, Chinese Hat, Bartolomé and Kicker Rock. A bilingual naturalist guide leads the excursions, while the small scale keeps the atmosphere personal. Choose Golondrina if you want the islands, an active programme and sociable company at a sensible price. Consider a different yacht if a quieter, more refined cabin experience or a high-end dining programme matters more to you.

Budget

Angelito

The Angelito is a lovely budget-class Galápagos cruise yacht that has been family-owned and operated since her launch in 1992. She's been lovingly cared for, and the dedication of her owners is visible in everything she does. This is a budget-class cruise with first-class passion from the operator. Angelito isn't just a business, she's part of a family - and that shows. From her beautifully clean exterior to the stunning waxed wood interior fittings to the quality of service - everyone on board is obviously proud of the yacht. Every trip has at least one member of the family on board to ensure that their exacting standards never slip. Her accommodation is made up of 8 double cabins that are bright and airy - and, remarkably for this class of Galápagos cruise, all enjoy lovely big windows for stunning sea and island views. Angelito is fully air-conditioned, and every cabin enjoys a private bathroom with shower and hot and cold water. All this combined with the lovely decor makes her cabins charming places to retire to at the end of the day. Communal areas on board are no less charming. Angelito's main saloon and dining room is comfortable and cozy and flooded with Galápagos sunshine thanks to large windows throughout. Beautiful wood finishes and comfortable furniture make this a great place to chat with like-minded fellow travelers, enjoy a superb meal, and relax with a well-deserved drink from the bar. As well as a rich array of meals from the kitchen, covering Ecuadorian specialities and international favorites, there is a never-ending supply of complimentary tea, coffee and water available at all times. If you would like something a little stronger, your dedicated barman will be only too pleased to assist, and he'll even be happy to deliver your drinks to the substantial upper sundeck if that's where you'd prefer to take them! Angelito's philosophy is not to rush. They would much rather you had wonderful, long and intimate encounters with the islands' wildlife than hurry you to try and "tick off" as many islands as possible. On Angelito, quality is more important than quantity. Given this philosophy, it's no surprise that one of your naturalist guides may well be Maya, who has been a member of Angeito's crew for over 30 years experience. First she worked as a Tour leader and Translator on board and has the licence as a National Park naturalist since 1992. With a maximum of only 16 guests per trip and a total of 8 crew, Angelito will provide you with an extraordinary experience that can't be bettered by any other ship in her class. The Angelito offers two different 8-day itineraries, each of which has it's own attractions in terms of wildlife and habitat. For advice on the best one for you, contact one of our Galápagos specialist travel advisors today, who can help pick the perfect itinerary for you. As a flavor, the Angelito “A” itinerary visits Espanola, Bartolome, North Seymour, and Genovesa Islands, and gives the opportunity to snorkel with [penguins](https://www.galapatours.com/animal/galapagos-penguin), walk among hundreds of [Blue-Footed boobies](https://www.galapatours.com/animal/blue-footed-booby) and witness the mating dance of the endangered [Waved Albatross](https://www.galapatours.com/animal/galapagos-waved-albatross). The “B” itinerary stays in the western part of the archipelago to explore [Fernandina](https://www.galapatours.com/island/fernandina) and the many diverse sites on [Isabela](https://www.galapatours.com/island/isabela), without missing snorkeling at Floreana or exploring the white-sand beaches of Santa Cruz. Isabela is the largest Galápagos island and is home to 60% of the region’s land wildlife, as well as beautiful snorkeling with green sea turtles, penguins, flightless cormorants, and [Galápagos sharks](https://www.galapatours.com/animal/galapagos-sharks). Angelito is all about passion, quality, and a love and respect for the islands - and this shines through from the moment you step on board. We adore the full-length sundeck on this yacht - it's one of the biggest in her class and is a stunning place to drink in the Galápagos ambiance. Her naturalist guides are among the most experienced, most qualified and most knowledgeable in the Galápagos, and their emphasis on long and intimate wildlife encounters means this is a "must do" Galápagos cruise for nature lovers.

Budget

Aqua

Aqua is a practical three-deck Galápagos yacht for active travellers who want a choice between naturalist cruising and diving programmes. With space for 16 guests in nine air-conditioned, en-suite cabins, she offers a straightforward small-ship base rather than a ship-first luxury experience. Between excursions, guests can use the shaded outdoor lounge, sun deck, indoor lounge, library and dining area. The real appeal is the flexibility: choose a naturalist itinerary for the islands' wildlife and visitor sites, or a diving programme if time underwater is the priority. Choose Aqua if you want an active, good-value Galápagos trip and the unusual option to match the boat to either a naturalist or diving holiday. Consider another yacht if contemporary design or a more refined onboard experience matters most.

Budget

Danubio Azul

Danubio Azul is a compact Galápagos yacht for travellers who prefer an intimate group and active days in the islands. She carries a maximum of 14 guests and offers both naturalist and diving itineraries, so the trip can be shaped around wildlife, visitor sites or time underwater. The onboard setup is simple and practical: air-conditioned en-suite cabins, a sun deck, dining room and bar, small library, al-fresco dining and a dedicated dive deck. Two pangas support island landings, while kayaks and snorkelling equipment make it easy to keep exploring between walks and water activities. Choose Danubio Azul if a smaller group, active programme and an uncomplicated yacht feel right for you. Consider another vessel if you are looking for a more polished luxury experience or larger onboard spaces.